Expanding stem casters and caster adapters — snap-in friction-fit casters that pop into hollow tube legs without bolts, welds, or threaded sockets. 3″, 3.5″, and 5″ wheel sizes with 7/8″, 1″, 1-1/4″, 1-3/8″, and 1-1/2″ expanding rubber stems. Hospital beds, restaurant tables, kitchen prep tables, OEM equipment. Up to 350 lb per caster. Stocked at our Mansfield, TX facility.
Match stem diameter to your tube's inside diameter (ID). Measure with calipers at the open bottom of the tube.
| Stem Size | Fits Tube ID | Wheel Size | Common Application | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/8" expanding | 7/8" ID tubing | 3" or 5" | Light office furniture, chairs | 250-300 lb |
| 1" expanding | 1" ID tubing | 3" | Restaurant chairs, light carts | 300 lb |
| 1-1/4" expanding | 1-1/4" ID tubing | 3" | Medium office and restaurant | 300 lb |
| 1-3/8" expanding | 1-3/8" ID tubing | 3" | Light prep tables, lighter stainless | 250-300 lb |
| 1-1/2" expanding | 1-1/2" ID tubing | 3" or 5" | Standard stainless prep tables, OEM | 300-350 lb |
| 3/4" expanding | 3/4" ID tubing | 3" | Light equipment, dental, hospital beds | 300 lb |
Use calipers at the open bottom of the leg tube. 1-1/2" is by far the most common on commercial stainless prep tables. 7/8" and 1" common on chairs and light equipment. If your tube measures 1-3/8" exactly — that's a real size, we stock that adapter too.
3" wheel for chairs, light carts, and most prep tables. 5" wheel for heavier prep tables, beverage carts, and where higher floor clearance is needed. 3" is the safer default if you're replacing chairs.
Poly on polyolefin: non-marking, quiet, easy roll, durable. Gray TPR: non-marking, food-service standard, slightly softer ride. Choose based on floor and noise requirements.
Most expanding stem casters are plain swivel — standard for chairs and light carts. Brake-equipped variants exist; specify if needed. Restaurant chairs and beds rarely use brakes.
A caster with a metal stem covered by a thick rubber sleeve. Slide the stem into a hollow tube leg, tighten a nut at the top of the caster body, and the rubber sleeve expands to grip the inside of the tube. No drilling, no welding, no threaded sockets required.
Insert the stem into the open bottom of the hollow leg tube. Hand-tighten the locknut at the base of the caster body until the rubber sleeve grips firmly. Lift the cart by a corner — if the caster doesn't pull out, it's installed. 30 seconds per caster.
7/8" (chairs, light), 1" (restaurant chairs), 1-1/4" (medium furniture), 1-3/8" (light prep tables), 1-1/2" (commercial stainless prep tables — most common), 3/4" (dental, hospital, light equipment). Larger sizes available on request.
If the chair has a hollow tube leg with a known inside diameter (most office and restaurant chairs do), yes. If the legs are solid or use a threaded socket, no — you need a different mount style. Measure the tube ID before ordering.
Calipers are the most accurate tool. Slide the inside jaws of the caliper into the open bottom of the tube until they touch the inner walls. Read the inside-diameter measurement. Most stainless tables: 1-1/2". Most office chairs: 7/8" or 1". Photograph and call us if unsure: 844-439-4335.
Yes, if the legs are hollow tubing. If the legs end in a flat foot pad, saw off the pad. If the legs are solid wood or steel, expanding stem casters won't work — consider a flat saddle plate caster instead.
The rubber sleeve eventually loses grip and the casters can begin to pop out under load — usually 5-10 years on residential or office furniture, 3-7 years on commercial restaurant chairs with heavy use. The wheel and yoke last longer than the rubber sleeve. Replace the whole caster when grip fails.
3" wheel: 250-300 lb per caster (light to medium use). 5" wheel: 300-350 lb per caster. A 4-caster chair or cart at 250 lb per caster = 1,000 lb total cart capacity with safety margin. Don't exceed.
